Sometimes your fate is sealed before birth, like it seems to have been for Miki Tiilikainen.

His father has been one of the top tennis players in Northern Nevada for several years.

So far, those genes have turned out to be a good thing for Miki, a Reno High sophomore.

After finishing fourth in the Boys Northern 4A Regional in singles last year, Tiilikainen is undefeated in boys tennis this season (12-0 before Tuesday). His Reno teammate, Ben Vincze, a junior is also having a great season at 13-1.

Miki's father is Jani Tillikainen, a long-time tennis professional in Reno. He has been the pro at Lakeridge Tennis Club since 1998. He played college tennis at Nevada and — after that — earned a No. 1 ranking in single and doubles in California in 1998.

Miki, now 15, had a tennis racket in his hands at age 3, hitting endless tennis balls against the wall.

It shows.

Although lean, and standing only about 5-foot-8, he hits the ball with authority, smashing it forcefully past teammates at a recent practice session.

“He can hit the ball,” Reno coach Craig Gorbach said. “His dad’s not a very big guy, very slender. He’s a great kid, real easy to coach.”

Gorbach said he tweaked Tiilikainen’s swing a little, to take some pressure off his shoulder.

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Miki Tiilikainen is on the varsity tennis team at Reno High.(Photo: Andy Barron/RGJ)

“It helped a lot,” Gorbach said of the tweak. “It’s just a matter of making good strides forward.”

Miki said his father has often given him tips, at first it was how to hold the racket and swing the through the ball, now it’s about putting pace on the ball and the mental side of the game.

“You just have to be confident and hope your skills will hold up,” Tiilikainen said.

He plays tennis year-round now, after giving up soccer, and hopes to play tennis in college.

He also plays tennis on the NorCal junior circuit.

Tiilikainen said he hopes to improve his serving and volleys.

The top two boys at the Northern 4A Regional last year, winner Tim Zagar, from Damonte Ranch, and runner-up Riley Boyden, from Reno, have graduated.

Earlier this season, Tiilikainen avenged his loss to Zeke Brooke, a junior from Damonte, who beat him for third place last year, and took the final spot at state.

Although this year is going well for Tiillikainen, he is not taking it for granted and knows anything can happen at the Regional.

“You never know what people can do,” he said.

The Northern Regional begins Tuesday with the team tournament. Team semifinals are Oct. 5 at higher-seeded teams, and team finals are Oct. 6 at Caughlin Club.